Frame and slab doors are two fundamentally different approaches to cabinet design. We cover construction, maintenance, cost, and when to choose each.
What They Are
A slab door is a flat, rectangular panel with no visible frame — a single piece of material from edge to edge: MDF, melamine, acrylic, painted MDF, or HPL.
A frame door consists of a frame (aluminium profile or MDF stiles and rails) with an insert inside — glass, MDF, mirror, or rattan. It can be routed from solid wood or assembled from separate profiles.
Slab Doors
- Clean, modern look — no protruding profiles
- Easier to wipe down: no grooves or joints where grease accumulates
- Wide material choice: PVC film, painted MDF, acrylic, HPL, veneer
- Works best in Scandinavian, contemporary, and minimalist interiors
- Scratches and smudges show more on glossy solid-colour surfaces
- Generally more affordable at the entry and mid-range price points
- Any warping of the MDF core is immediately visible on the flat surface
Frame Doors
- Essential for classic, Shaker, Provençal, and neo-classical styles
- The frame visually breaks up large panel surfaces
- Glass or rattan inserts add lightness and let you see what's inside
- Harder to clean: joints between frame and insert collect grease and dust
- Aluminium profiles don't warp or swell
- MDF frames are sensitive to moisture at the insert joints
- Cost more than comparable slab doors due to manufacturing complexity
Comparison
| Slab | Frame |
|---|
| Style | Modern, minimalist | Classic, Shaker, Provençal |
| Cleaning | Easier — no joints | Harder — grooves and joints |
| Moisture resistance | Depends on material | Aluminium frame: good; MDF frame: risk |
| Inserts | None | Glass, mirror, rattan, MDF |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Repairability | Replace the whole door | Replace only the insert |
Insert Options for Frame Doors
The choice of insert significantly changes the character of the door:
- Clear glass — shows contents; requires keeping things tidy inside
- Frosted glass — decorative, hides contents
- Mirror — enlarges the space visually; great for hallways and living rooms
- Rattan / woven panel — natural texture, popular in boho and Scandinavian styles
- Solid MDF — frame door without any transparency, classic panel look
Where to Use Each Type
- Kitchen work zone (base cabinets near the stove and sink) — slab in HPL or matte painted MDF: easier to clean
- Upper cabinets — frame with glass for lightness and visual variety
- Living room, hallway, bedroom — frame with mirror or rattan as a design accent
- Children's room or high-traffic areas — slab in HPL or PVC film
Slab and frame doors can be mixed in the same run: base cabinets in slab (easier to clean), upper cabinets in frame with glass (lighter feel). This is a classic technique that keeps a kitchen from looking monotonous.
What to Check When Ordering
- Frame door: what is the frame made of — aluminium or MDF? Prefer aluminium for wet zones
- How is the insert secured: glued, in a groove, or with a bead stop? A bead stop makes glass replacement easy
- Slab door: MDF core thickness — 16 mm minimum, 19 mm preferred
- Ask for a real edge sample to see how the edge banding is finished
- For frame doors: check the gap between frame and insert — glass should not rattle